Working Toward Social Justice ● Principle of rights and responsibilities -

Rights are claims made on & society that

and Human Rights help humans lead a truly human life. Every
citizen has responsibilities to respect and
Importance of the Law not abuse his/her rights in society.
St. Thomas Aquinas – “just law is an ordinance of ● Principle of the common good - The
the reason” common good is enhanced by social
- promulgated by an authorities for the sake of the conditions that allow people to reach their
common good full human potential.
● Principle of preferential option for the
Characteristics of Laws poor and vulnerable - The poor, the weak,
1. The statues of law of a counting must be and those who have the least in life deserve
anchored on the moral law justice and dignity. They should be
2. The statues are for the common good protected to ensure that justice and dignity
3. The statues should be just and not bias are given to them.
4. The statues should be implemented and obeyed ● Principle of the dignity of work and the
by everyone rights of workers - The economy must serve
the people and not the other way around.
Theodore Roosevelt – obedience to the law is The dignity of work is safeguarded when
demanded not asked as a favor the rights of workers are respected.
● Principle of solidarity - We are our
What is social justice? brothers' and sisters' keepers. We should
Social justice is a political and philosophical contribute our share to work for justice and
concept that holds that all people should peace in a violent world.
have equal access to wealth, health, well- ● Principle of stewardship - All of us are
being, stewards of God and society. We are called
justice, and opportunity. to protect people and the planet as
The Principles of Social Justice stewards of Earth.
● Principle of human dignity - Every person,
regardless of race, gender, and background Anti-violence against Women
deserves dignity because all people are
made in the image and likeness of God.
and their Children Act (VAWc)
● It refers to any act or series of acts
● Principle of respect for human life - Every
committed against a woman or child by a
stage of life, from womb to tomb, is worthy
person who is or has been in a relationship
of respect and protection.
with the woman, or who has a child with
● Principle of the call to family, community,
her.
and participation - The family is the central
● VAWC affects 1 in 3 women globally and
social institution that comprises a
millions of children, causing severe physical
community. The family and the community
and mental harm. It persists locally due to
should be protected to enable them to
cultural norms and poverty, requiring
participate in the promotion of social
urgent action to ensure safety and equality.
justice.
 ● also known as RA 9262, This Act, which is a  Stigma, victim-blaming, cultural norms, and
consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2723 and resistance from families or communities
House Bill Numbers. 5516 and 6054 limit the law's impact.
Gaps in the law:
Themes in Implementations of VAWc  Certain abuses, like psychological and
1. Institutional Roles economic, are harder to prove, and some
 The PNP responds to reports, investigates victims fall outside its scope.
abuse, and helps secure Protection Orders Impact of the law
(POs) for victims  The law has raised awareness of the issue
 Barangays issue Barangay Protection of violence against women and children in
Orders (BPOs) and refer victims to social society.
workers, who provide counseling and legal  The law provides protection for victims
support through immediate protection orders,
 The DSWD coordinates with the PNP, DOJ, social services, and rehabilitation
and local governments to provide social opportunities.
services, financial aid, and case  The law has established mechanisms to
management for victims. implement the law,
2. Support Services for Victims  The law has established a response system
 Temporary shelters and counseling services that includes multi-disciplinary teams
are provided by the DSWD, local (MDTs) to address the needs of victims
governments, and NGOs to support victims'
recovery. Safe Space Act
 The Public Attorney's Office (PAO) and Sexual harassment - Sexual harassment is a type of
NGOs offer free legal services to help harassment involving the use of explicit or implicit
victims pursue justice. sexual overtones, including the unwelcome and
 Programs assist victims' emotional recovery inappropriate promises of rewards in exchange for
and offenders' rehabilitation, such as anger sexual favors.
management. RA 11313 - Republic Act No. 11313, commonly
3. Community Involvement known as the Safe Spaces Act or the Bawal Bastos
 National and local campaigns raise Law, is a landmark legislation in the Philippines
awareness about RA 9262 and educate the designed to address gender-based sexual
public on gender-based violence. harassment (GBSH) in public spaces, online
 NGOs offer direct services, legal aid, and platforms, workplaces, and educational
advocacy, while faith-based groups provide institutions.
emotional support and community - Signed into law on April 17, 2019, by President
outreach. Rodrigo Duterte, it strengthens the existing Anti-
Challenges in Enforcement: Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (RA 7877) by
Systemic Challenges: expanding its coverage and imposing stricter
 Limited resources and funding, lack of penalties on perpetrators.
trained personnel, and corruption or bias in
legal proceedings hinder its enforcement. More in Depth:
Barriers:
1. Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Public
Spaces - The law penalizes acts of harassment Accessibility: universal healthcare system aims to
committed in streets, parks, public transportation, ensure that healthcare is accessible to everyone,
malls, bars, restaurants, workplaces, schools, and regardless of income or social status.
other similar public areas.
2. Gender-Based Online Sexual Harassment - With Historical background
the increasing prevalence of social media and 1. Ancient and pre-modern times - healthcare in
digital communication, the Safe Spaces Act also ancient civilizations was often linked to religion and
criminalizes online harassment. provided by pre-traditional healers
3. Workplace Sexual Harassment - Unlike previous - Public health measures such as sanitation system
laws that only penalized harassment committed by and ancient growth benefited entire populations,
someone in authority (such as a boss towards an but we’re not universally accessible
employee), RA 11313 recognizes that sexual
harassment can occur between colleagues, 2. 18th to 19th century - industrial revolution:
subordinates, and even clients. rapid urbanization and poor working conditions,
4. Sexual Harassment in Educational and Training led to widespread public health issues, prompting
Institutions - The law acknowledges that government to address sanitation, deceased
harassment can occur between students, teachers, prevention, and healthcare access
or staff members. Schools and universities are - Bismarck model (Germany): in 1893 Chancellor
required to establish clear anti-harassment Otto Bismarck introduced the first national health
policies, conduct awareness campaigns, and set up insurance system in Germany. Cloisters employees
disciplinary committees to handle complaints. it covered workers at their families setting a
precedent for modern universal health care
Types of Sexual Harassment - Social movements: advocacy for workers’ rights
1. Verbal sexual harassment and social welfare group, particularly in Europe,
2. Physical sexual harassment leading to demands for broader access to
3. Visual or nonverbal sexual harassment healthcare
4. Online or cyber sexual harassment
5. Workplace sexual harassment 3. 20th century - United Kingdom: The National
6. Gender based sexual harassment at public Health Service (NHS) was established in 1948,
spaces providing free healthcare at the point of use,
funded through taxation. It became a model for
Universal Health Care other nations
 Universal healthcare system in which every - Canada: The Canada Health Act of 1984 ensured
individual is assured access to essential universal coverage for medically necessary
health services. services, prohibiting extra billing and use.
 It aims to provide healthcare free of - Scandinavian Countries: Countries like Sweden
charge, regardless of income or and Norway implemented comprehensive welfare
employment status for all individuals, states with universal healthcare as a cornerstone.
ensuring that all people receive this - United States: While the U.S. did not adopt
necessary, treatment and care without universal healthcare, programs like Medicare
having to worry about financial hardship.
(1965) and Medicaid (1965) provided coverage for - Universal healthcare protects individuals from
the elderly and low-income populations. catastrophic medical costs. By removing or
reducing out-of-pocket expenses (like co-pays,
Models of Universal Healthcare deductibles, or premiums), it prevents medical
1. Single-Payer System - In a single-payer debt and ensures that people don't face financial
healthcare system, the government is the sole hardship due to healthcare needs.
entity responsible for paying for healthcare 3. Better Public Health Outcomes
services. While private healthcare providers - With universal healthcare, preventive care and
(doctors, hospitals, etc.) typically deliver the early intervention are prioritized. This leads to
services, the government finances the system better management of chronic conditions, reduced
through taxation. mortality rates, and overall improved public health,
2. Multi-Payer System - In a multi-payer system, benefiting the population as a whole.
healthcare is funded by a combination of public
and private entities. The government typically Challenges:
provides a basic level of coverage for all citizens, 1. Funding
but individuals can also purchase supplemental 2. Quality of Care
private insurance to cover additional services. 3. Implementation Complexity
3. Beveridge Model - Named after the British 4. Bureaucracy
economist William Beveridge, the Beveridge model 5. Limited Choices
is one where the government both provides and Criticism:
finances healthcare. Healthcare services are 1. Tax Burden
typically free at the point of care, and the 2. Incentives and Innovations
government owns most of the healthcare facilities 3. Overuse and Underuse
and employs healthcare providers. 4. Political Feasibility
4. National Health Insurance (NHI) - The NHI 5. Diverse Needs
model is similar to the single-payer system but
differs in that healthcare providers are private (not Global Comparison of Universal Healthcare
government-owned), while the government acts as
Systems Europe:United Kingdom (NHS) :
the sole insurer. The government finances the
The National Health Service offers healthcare
system through a national health insurance
funded by taxes, ensuring access to services for all
program, which covers all citizens.
residents.
- The National Health Service (NHS) in the United
What are the Advantages of Universal Kingdom is a fully government-run system.
Healthcare? - The social health insurance model that Germany
1. Improved Access to Healthcare operates allows citizens and employers to
- Universal healthcare ensures that all individuals, contribute to non-profit insurance funds.
regardless of their income or social status, have - Scandinavia: Countries like Sweden and Denmark
access to essential health services. This eliminates prioritize publicly funded healthcare with minimal
financial barriers to care, enabling people to seek out-of-pocket expenses, emphasizing equity.
medical attention when needed, leading to better
overall health outcomes. Health Equity
2. Financial Protection
- Health Equity is where everyone has a fair
opportunity to attain what they need to be healthy.
This directly focuses on the injustices and unfair
treatment that patients will receive medical
discrimination.